"Fewer than half of the millennials in the Raleigh-Durham area each fruits and veggies more than once a day. And that's who we’re targeting, and that’s who were trying to move the needle on," said Higgins.

Food deserts exist across the state, which make it difficult for people to form healthy habits. According to Blue Cross, there are some 350 food deserts that affect 1.5 million residents. This contributes to the state ranking No. 31 in terms of overall health.

FNV has partnered with athletes like basketball star Steph Curry and NFL quarterback Cam Newton to encourage people to eat more greens.

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For close to two decades, Richard Joyner fought to get away from the farms of Pitt County, North Carolina. He grew up in a family of sharecroppers and repeatedly witnessed racial and economic injustices. His family was never properly compensated for their labor, and his father was treated poorly by white land owners.

Later in his life, Joyner became the pastor for the small 300-person community of Conetoe, North Carolina. Within one year, 30 of his congregants died from health-related illnesses. He decided to return to farming to grow healthy food for his community.